Ukrainian citizens will soon need to apply for a special travel permit to visit the Schengen Area. Until now, Ukrainians have been able to stay in the Schengen Area short-term without additional security checks, but this is about to change.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System, ETIAS, will be launched in 2025 to boost safety and security across the EU. As visa-free travellers, Ukrainians are amongst those who will need to apply.
Ukrainian passport holders can find out everything they need to know about this important change to visa waiver requirements below.
Yes, Ukrainian nationals may enter any Schengen Area member state without a visa for up to 90 days. This also applies to prospective Schengen members Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.
When the ETIAS visa waiver is launched, this will not change. Ukrainians will still be able to travel visa-free around Schengen countries.
The only difference is that they will have to register online with ETIAS beforehand.
Once registered, Ukrainian citizens will continue to enjoy the same travel freedom as before.
No, Ukrainian citizens do not need to get a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area on holiday or for business purposes.
As a Ukrainian national, you will only need a Schengen visa if you plan to do any of the following:
ETIAS runs automatic security checks on individuals visiting the Schengen Area without a visa. Passport details are run through a series of EU databases such as Europol and the Visa Information System (VIS) to verify that the applicant does not pose a threat to the public.
In the vast majority of cases, Ukrainian applicants will be granted the travel permit shortly after submitting a request. In the rare case that something is flagged up, the application will be reviewed by the ETIAS Central and National Units.
ETIAS will make top European destinations such as Italy, France, and Germany, even safe for residents and visitors. Ukrainians will still be able to visit Europe without a visa but with the added security benefits of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, Ukrainian nationals will need an approved ETIAS visa waiver to travel in the EU.
ETIAS will be verified when the Ukrainian passport is scanned at an external Schengen border. Individuals without a valid ETIAS permit will not be granted entry.
Not only does ETIAS allow the EU to better manage overseas visitors, but it also has a number of benefits for tourists and business travellers.
Ukrainians with a valid ETIAS visa waiver can go to any of the countries that make up the Schengen Area using the same permit.
Ukrainian sightseers can make the most of their trip to visit top destinations such as Portugal, Spain, and Greece without having to apply for additional permits. There are no internal borders in the Schengen zone but travellers should always carry their passport with attached visa waiver with them.
Ukrainian passport holders do not need to apply for a new visa waiver each time they travel. An ETIAS is valid for multiple trips to the Schengen Area within its validity period.
The maximum total stay allowed with ETIAS is 90 days per any 180-day period. To stay for longer than 3 months, a visa is required.
ETIAS is valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Ukrainians can travel with ETIAS for tourism, business, and study
The ETIAS authorisation can be used to travel from Ukraine to the Schengen Area for tourism, business trips, and studying short-term courses that do not exceed the 90-day limit.
Ukrainians also need ETIAS to leave an airport located in the Schengen zone while stopping in transit en-route to another third-country destination.
To visit an ETIAS country for another reason, such as to engage in work or long-term study, Ukrainian citizens need to obtain a different permit or visa for their trip.
